Australian honours system glossary

Glossary Definitions Within the Context of the Fact Sheets

Apprenticeships
Working under the direction of a skilled or qualified person for a certain length of time in order to learn a trade.
Averted
Prevented something from happening.
Battalion base
Camp at which an army battalion (group of soldiers) is based.
Boer War
Usually considered as being the second of two conflicts between the British and the Boers for control of South Africa. Australia supported the British by sending 12,000 troops.
Chancellor
Responsible for the administration of the Order of Australia.
Civil or General Division
For men and women who are not attached to the defence forces.
Composure
Calmness and self control under pressure.
Confer
To grant or give a special honour or favour.
Confidential
Secret or private.
Conflict
A struggle, clash or battle between opposing forces.
Conspicuous
Standing out from others.
Conspicuous gallantry
Obvious and clear act of heroism or bravery.
Crimean War
The war between Russia on one side and an alliance of France, Britain, Sardinia and Turkey on the other. Most of the conflict took place on the Crimean Peninsula, with additional battles in western Turkey, and the Baltic Sea region. It was fought from 1853 to1856.
Dame
A special honour granted to a woman who has given great service to her country. She is allowed to use the title ‘Dame’ for life. No longer awarded in Australia.
Devotion
Being faithful and loyal to a person or cause.
Distinguished
Exceptional and notable.
Eligible
Worthy of, or qualified for, something.
Engineering
The profession of applying scientific principles to the design, construction and maintenance of buildings, roads, vehicles etc.
Ex-officio
Holding a committee or other position because of a particular rank or title.
Fields of endeavour
Employment, voluntary work, community service or other activities.
Fortitude
An inner strength and courage that gives a deeper level of endurance during hardship.
Gallipoli
A peninsula on the north-western shores of Turkey. It is famous for being the initial battle ground between Australian and Turkish troops in the First World War.
Government House
The office and residence of the Governor-General in Canberra.
Group Bravery Citation
An award given to a group of people who have all exhibited courage in a particular situation.
Honorary
Held or given only as an honour, without the normal privileges or duties.
Humanity
The human race.
Hunter community
People living in the Hunter River valley, in New South Wales.
Imperial system of honours
A system developed within the British Empire to reward citizens for outstanding service or achievements.
Independence
Freedom from rules dictated by other people or organisations.
Independent body
Acting without government or business influence.
Instigated
Began or initiated.
Instituted
Created.
Institution
Introduction or establishment of something.
Investiture
A ceremony at which honours or awards are presented.
Jeopardy
Risky or hazardous situation.
Knight
A special honour granted to a man who has given great service to his country. He is allowed to use the title ‘Sir’ for life. No longer awarded in Australia.
Lapel pin
A type of badge designed to be worn on the collar of a coat or jacket.
Letters patent
A type of legal instruction in the form of an open letter written by a monarch (e.g. king, queen etc.) or government, granting an honour, title or special privilege.
Meritorious
Deserving of reward.
Military
Relating to the defence forces (army, navy and air force).
Military Division
For men and women serving in the defence forces.
Minister for Defence
The Australian government minister appointed to be in charge of military affairs and activities.
Nominee
A person who has been nominated to receive an honour or award.
Official publication
Making information officially available to the public in newspapers, on the Internet, or in other media.
Order of Precedence
A list placing things or people in order of their importance.
Patronage
Financial support, favour or sponsorship.
Peril
A dangerous and hazardous situation.
Perilous
Dangerous, hazardous and risky.
Personal gift (of the king or queen)
An honour which the king or queen decides to give without advice from anyone else.
Philosophy
A person’s belief, attitude and thoughts on how to live life.
Political influence
Government or Opposition persuasion to change an action or decision.
Political patronage
Offering money, favours or services, or exerting political pressure in order to achieve a particular result.
Posthumously
Occurring after death.
Post-nominal
Letters written after someone’s name to indicate that he or she holds a particular honour or award (e.g. AO - Officer of the Order of Australia).
Pre-eminent
Much more important and significant than any other.
Principal Companion
First in rank and importance.
Public office holders
People entrusted with particular duties to serve their community, state or country.
Recipient
A person who is given or receives an award, honour or gift.
Referees
People who are asked to support a person’s nomination for an honour or award by providing details of their skills and achievements.
Renowned
Respected, distinguished and well known.
Retrospective
Applying to past events.
Selflessly
Helping others without any thought for one’s own safety.
Self-sacrifice
Acting unselfishly for the good of other people.
Valour
Fearless courage.
Vietnam War
A war between communist North Vietnam and South Vietnam, in which the USA, Australia and New Zealand, among other countries, supported South Vietnam. It was fought from 1956 to 1975. Australia’s involvement in the war commenced in 1962.
Vocational training
Studies undertaken to equip people for a particular trade or profession.
Warrant Officer
A member of the army, navy or air force holding the highest rank below commissioned officer.